JERUSALEM, Tuesday, November 05, 2019 (WAFA) – The Israeli Supreme Court upheld today deportation order against Human Rights Watch (HRW) director Omar Shakir for the occupied Palestinian territory for his alleged pro-boycott of Israel group, BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions).

“Breaking: Israeli Supreme Court upholds my deportation over my rights advocacy,” said Shakir in a tweet. “Decision now shifts back to Israeli government; if it proceeds, I have 20 days to leave and it’ll join ranks of Iran, North Korea and Egypt in blocking access for HRW official. We won’t stop. And we won’t be the last.”

The Israeli human rights group, B’Tselem, said in a tweet that it stands in solidarity with the HRW director.

“Efforts to hide the occupation and silence criticism against it are bound to fail,” said B’Tselem executive director, Hagai ElAd in a tweet. “The decision reflects perfectly the state of affairs at the highest judicial institution in Israel -- not rule of law, but legal propaganda at the service of the occupation. In essence, the Supreme Court’s ruling grants a legal seal of approval to the further shrinking of the already ed space in Israel to oppose the occupation. For decades, this space is non-existent for Palestinians; now, it will be diminished further for international stakeholders; and soon, also for Israelis.”

M.K.